Summer - United Synagogue Youth

The Official Magazine of USYIn This Issue:Comm. Corner 3D613 Ways toUse the InternetAn Inside Look atWhat’s in Store for USYSummer 2008 • g”qyz uiwDepartment of Youth Activities • The United Synagogue of Conservative JudaismSummer 2008 •

CommunicationsCornerFrom theEditorsUSY:The Next Frontierby Scott StrengerTime is precious. Each and every day,our time is marked by doing this anddoing that. In fact, our entire society isbased on time. On my desk sits a clock;I could sit and write this article with apiece of parchment and a quill but thetick of the clock would haunt me, I needsomething faster, something easier,something with a little less maintenancethen dipping my quill in ink.Lucky for me, I have a laptop.Stylish and useful, I can take this deviceanywhere. With a few keystrokes, I canchange the world. Imagine that, a tabletthat gives me the power to do things thata thousand years ago, a hundred yearsago, even 10 years ago, I could neverhave imagined. That is the beauty oftechnology.In honor of the 21st century, wehave decided to extend this issue’s“Our generationhas benefitedfrom extremelyadvancedtechnology.Think aboutit, what wouldyou do withouta computer,a television, acalculator, howabout a light bulb?”Communications Corner by making it 3D! In other words, wehave packed this issue with multiple 21st century ideas, Jewishresources, techno-insight and advice. These 3D “pop-ups” aredesigned to a answer the question, “How can we communicateas USYers in the 21st century?” They are located throughout thismagazine.Technology has evolved for two reasons: 1) to save ourprecious time and 2) to make our lives a lot easier. Our generationhas benefited from extremely advanced technology. These toolshave become staples in our lives. Think about it, what would youdo without a computer, a television, a calculator, how about alight bulb? The funny thing is, we lived thousands of years withoutthese things and we were fine, however, if we lost them tomorrow,it would be a horrible tragedy. These devices have become sosecond nature to us that often times we never stop, admire andtake advantage of the opportunities we have.Our generation is the key to the future. We have the technology,now we have to figure out how best to use it. Our traditions, ourConservative Movement, our tomorrow are dependent on ourminds and in our ability to set the standards and the tone of the21st century. Throughout this issue, you will see how USYerscurrently take advantage of technology, learn of incredibleresources available and get a glimpse of what the 21st centuryhas in store for USY. We as USYers must be aware of the worldaround us and take advantage of the opportunities we have. Thetime is our time; let’s not let it tick away.□Scott Strenger of METNY is the 2008 InternationalCommunications Vice President of USY. E-mail him atcommunications@usy.org.Connecting to Judaism,Just a Click Awayby Sherman Fabes &Rebecca MacyTechnology during the past3 0 years h as taken of f.Advancements have become sogreat that it is virtually impossibleto ignore technology. But, istechnology really such a goodthing? Does it help us becomebetter people or does technologyjust give people an excuse tonot become a good person? ForAchshav’s Summer 2008 issue,we felt that we couldn’t escapeit. Sure, we could have pickedanother topic like music or theAmidah, but no matter whatwe chose, technology would beincorporated, so why not hit thetheme head-on.In this issue, you will readhow teenagers across NorthAmerica deal with Shabbat andthe constraints it has in a secularworld; how to deal with the factthat Israel may be far away, yetwith technology, it is just a click“In this issue, you willread how teenagersacross this country dealwith Shabbat and theconstraints it has in asecular world; how todeal with the fact thatIsrael is so far away, yetwith technology just aclick away; even howone USYers heart andmind deals with thedebate of prayer and iftechnology brings hercloser to God.”away; even how a USYer personally connects with prayer throughthe help of technology.As your Achshav! editors, we are ecstatic to share stories ofUSYers dealing with the same basic yet complex questions youdeal with everyday in Judaism. We have both not kept Shabbatfor a consistent period of time before becoming involved in USYbecause of the technological sacrifices you must make for one andhalf days, but now we both keep the Shabbat and can firmly saythat it is the most empowering and rejuvenating experience ever.We urge each and every one of you at your next Shabbat, makeone little sacrifice: don’t spend money at the mall, don’t use onelight in a room or don’t play that video game Saturday morning.We promise you will feel like a million bucks after you relax or takea break from one thing on Shabbat.Distance is tough. Bringing together very distant USYers?Even tougher. That’s why we, Sherman Fabes and Becca Macy,are working to make our changing, distant USY community evencloser with Achshav!□Sherman Fabes and Rebecca Macy are the 2008 Editors ofAchshav!. If you have questions, comments, or want to volunteerto write for Achshav!, e-mail them at achshav@usy.org. • ACHSHAV!

g”qyz uiwVolume 57, Number 2Summer 2008USY in the 21st CenturyHADASHOT5 The Influence of the InternetWHO WE ARE6 Blog Page: Different PerspectivesHow Technology Affects the Lives of USYers7 Facebook® + Advocacy = Good?You Make The DifferenceAchshav! (USPS 949-640) is published quarterly by theDepartment of Youth Activities, The United Synagogueof Conservative Judaism. Subscription price is includedin USY membership dues. Periodical postage paid at NewYork, New York. Achshav! is the official magazine of UnitedSynagogue Youth.Postmaster: Send change of address forms to: Achshav!, 820Second Avenue, New York, New York 10017.Phone: (212) 533-7800, ext. 1150Fax: (212) 353-9439E-mail: youth@uscj.orgWebsite: www.usy.org/achshavYour submissions are welcome. Printed in the USA onrecycled paper.Co-EditorsSherman Fabes & Rebecca MacyDesign and ProductionMatthew G. HalpernUnited Synagogue YouthAdam Berman, PresidentScott Strenger, Communications VPDepartment of Youth ActivitiesJules A. Gutin, Director • Karen Stein •Aviva Tilles • Adam Kofinas • Ilan Schwartz •Amy Greenfeld • Nahum Binder •Yitzchak Jacobsen • David Keren • Yossi GarrInternational Youth CommissionPaul Kochberg, ChairThe United Synagogue of Conservative JudaismDr. Ray Goldstein, PresidentDr. Marilyn L. Wind, Vice-President ofYouth Services and EducationRabbi Jerome Epstein, Executive Vice PresidentA LOOK BACK8 Looking Back on the Memories9 Capturing the Moments,One Digital Shot at a TimeJUDAISM AS A CULTURE1O The Start and the HeartMovies, Music and Shacharit,Oh My!11 Is Facebook® MakingFriendships Less Personal orMore Accessible?ADVANCING OUR WORLD12 Start Today,Change Tomorrow13 Helping Israel in the21st Century14 A New Version ofConservative Judaism:Would You Like ToUpgrade Now?MESSAGES2 USY: The Next Frontierby Scott StrengerUSY Communications VP2 Connecting to Judaism,Just a Click Awayby Sherman Fabes & Rebecca MacyAchshav Editors4 Meeting the Challenge,Sharing the Experiencesby Jules Gutin, Director of USY4 Save Your 42 Centsby Adam Berman, USY PresidentAchshav! is a project ofThe Department of Youth Activities,The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism820 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism promotesthe role of the synagogue in Jewish life in order to motivateConservative Jews to perform mitzvot encompassingethical behavior, spirituality, Judaic learning, and ritualobservance. Combining an awareness of communalresponsibility with a strong sense of commitment,the United Synagogue is a dynamic force within theConservative Movement.Summer 2008 •

From theDirectorFrom thePresidentMeeting the Challenge,Sharing the Experiencesby Jules GutinSave Your 42 Centsby Adam BermanAt the end of the summer, thousandsof USYers gathered for RegionalEncampments. I visited a number ofthem a long with our USY InternationalPresident, Adam Berman. We wereinspired by the ruach and enthusiasm.We met many USYers for whomEncampment was the most importantevent of the year. Since regionalEncampments are longer than most USYevents, many lasting relationships areformed (often beginning in Kadima).Right after the Encampments, Ihad the great privilege to participate intwo “USY Weddings.” The two coupleshad all been very active USYers. Eachcouple was from different regions. If itweren’t for USY, they might never havemet. The singing and dancing, rejoicingThe challenge forall of us is to sharethese experienceswith more youngJews from ourMovement. Imaginewhat would happenif each of us couldreach out to onemore person who hasnot yet joined ourranks.”with the bride and groom, was even more spirited and intensethan the ruach I experienced at the Encampments we visited.At one wedding, the parents of the groom were themselves USYalumni. (In fact, I was already on the Central staff when they werein USY). There were many others at both weddings who wouldnever have met without USY, including several graduates of ourNativ program.Then, after the weddings we were blessed with the opportunityto participate in a wonderful Bat Mitzvah. The parents were USYalumni. The brother of the Bat Mitzvah is a very active USYer andthe Bat Mitzvah is active in Kadima. Several generations of USYalumni were present for this joyous occasion including two of myfellow Hagalil regional officers from 42 years ago.This issue of Achshav! focuses on “USY in the 21st Century.”Many things have changed since I was a USYer more than 40 yearsago. It is exciting to see all the new aspects of the USY experience.Yet as much as things change, certain things remain the same.The ruach, the new and lasting friendships, and inspiring Jewishexperiences have all been part of the USY experience for almost60 years. The challenge for all of us is to share these experienceswith more young Jews from our Movement. Imagine what wouldhappen if each of us could reach out to one more person whohas not yet joined our ranks. We could change the face of theConservative Movement, and the Jewish community as a whole.As we begin a new program year towards the end of the firstdecade of the 21st century, I hope we will all share that goal.Each one of us can truly make a difference.□Jules Gutin is the International Director of USY. Send yourcomments directly to Jules at gutin@uscj.org.As USY President, a question I get askedall the time is how I will manage to domy job from Israel when I am on Nativ.My answer is simple.In this day and age, there isvery little difference between beingthe International USY President inColumbus, Ohio and being the Presidentin Jerusalem.I was at Fall Board Weekend and willof course USY International Convention.All of the work I plan on doing for thesecond half of the year would involvecommunication with people by phoneor by e-mail, anyway. The only thing thatwill make it more difficult will be timezones, but with technology where it istoday, it really will not matter whetherI’m in America’s heartland or the Jewishpeople’s homeland. If anything, it willbe more convenient to live in the samebuilding with one of the IC co-chairsand two International Executive Boardmembers.In fact, thinking about how much“In this day andage, there is verylittle differencebetween beingthe InternationalUSY President inColumbus, Ohio andbeing the Presidentin Jerusalem. Withtechnology where itis today, it really willnot matter whetherI’m in America’sheartland or theJewish people’shomeland.”of my job involves technology that developed just within the last10 years makes me wonder how past USY presidents managedto do much of anything. In the days when parents would getmad at teenagers for running up the long distance charges onthe landline or writing to someone actually meant folding paperinto an envelope and waiting for the postal service to schlep itsomewhere, this job must have been a lot harder. That is why Iam glad to live in an age with unlimited Verizon-to-Verizon and a“compose message” icon on my computer screen.But this works both ways. Your job is easier, too, and I expectyou to come through. It only takes a few seconds to jot me amessage at president@usy.org or to any other board member,and it won’t even cost you 42 cents! You can also send an AIM toUSYprez.Now that it’s 2008, you have no excuse for not letting the USYInternational Executive Board know what you think, and I have noexcuse for not getting back to you. I look forward to hearing fromyou soon!□Adam Berman of CRUSY is the 2008 International President ofUSY. E-mail him at president@usy.org. • ACHSHAV!

zeycgHadashotThe Influence of the Internetby Helaine Firestein, METNYLike many others my age, Ihave a subscription to severalteen magazines. But, whenthose come once a month,I’ll throw them on the floor of mybedroom or add them to the pileof clutter in my living room, wherethey sit until I can spare a minuteto read them.Today, a magazine of a different sortcame in the mail: The spring edition ofAchshav! This, I did not carelessly throwsomewhere. I took “The Official Magazineof USY,” sat down on my couch, and readit cover to cover. Yea, Seventeen magazinehas the occasional story that I can relate to,but as I read Achshav!, I understood whereevery writer was coming from. The chillsduring ruach, the constant countdowns toconventions, the going over of cell phoneminutes due to endless conversations withUSY friends. These are all issues that I canrelate to. And I figure that almost every USYerunderstands where I am coming from.Being that many of us do not go toschool with a lot of USYers and therefore donot see our closest friends – the ones whounderstand our passion for USY – everyday,technology is a blessing. By the time thisissue of Achshav! comes out, I’m prettysure USY Summer Programs 2008 will haveended. But, thanks to the wonder that is theInternet, I am still able to talk to friends fromUSY on Wheels Bus D 2007, and often. Thephone is great, don’t get me wrong, but Ican talk to more than one or two people onthe Internet AND I don’t have to worry aboutgoing over minutes.Although it takes up precious homeworktime, Facebook® is another easy way ofcommunication. I was Communications VicePresident of my chapter for the last threeyears and I sent out e-mails every week,Hadashot (zeycg) is Hebrew for “news”but I’m not from another planet. I know thatpeople check their Facebook® many moretimes a day than they check their e-mails. Igot into the habit of following up my e-mailswith Facebook® messages. And everyoneknows that Facebook® would be nothingwithout pictures. Let’s face it, not manypeople make scrapbooks nowadays, (I am arare exception to that, I made TWO after USYon Wheels) but when everyone is sufferingfrom withdrawal after an International,Regional or Divisional convention, it feelsgood to sit down in front of your computerand look at the pictures that your friendshave tagged you in. (Even a comment onthe wall for the “Nothing is worse than USYWithdrawal” group can be therapeutic.)The Internet gives us extremelyconvenient ways to talk to people whoentirely understand the love that we have forUSY, whether these people are in the sameregion or on the other side of the country.However, there’s no reason to disregardmethods from “The Stone Age” altogether.We all get Achshav! through good old snailmail, and “The Official Magazine of USY,”along with technology, does an excellent jobat bringing the very distant USY communityclose together.□“Ignite the Fire Within”share your Poetry, Prose, Photography,and Original Art forShalhevetUSY’s Creative Arts Magazinedistributed each year atUSY’s International ConventionSubmissions are now being acceptedfor this year’s issue.To find out more orshare your creativity,contact your Shalhevet Editorat shalhevet@usy.orgSummer 2008 •

Who We AreBlog Page:Different Perspectives:How Technology Affects the Lives of USYersConverseLet’s be honest: USYerslove to Chat. Thanks to21st Century technologyUSYers have countlessways to converse with eachother.• The most popular meansof conversation arethrough e-mails andinstant message programssuch as AIM, iChat andMSN.• USYers can also converseon websites such aswww.skype.com and inthe USY chatroom onwww.usy.org.• In addition to on-line communications,USYers canconverse using phones.Websites such as www.freeconferencecall.comgive USYers the opportunityto talk with multiplepeople via the phone atthe same time. This is agreat resource for USYboard meetings.“The amazing technology that exists todayallows us to reach people across theworld with push of a button. Through e-mail and on the telephone, I am able totalk to all my friends from IC with relativeease. Technology has made communicationsover long distances within the reachof the common person, and has helpedme stay in contact with all of my friendsfrom USY.”— Brian Stone, Far West“Technology has really benefited our regionin ways that we take for granted.Without the advancement of technologyover the past few years, the majority ofthe things we do now would be unheardof! Such as the way we learn torah portionsand services, plan events and programs,and send out a mass e-mail sothat everyone gets the schedule on time.Technology is very crucial to keep the Pinwheelregion spinning strong!”— Karen Labis, Pinwheel“Technology has affected my life as aUSYer by helping me find out events andwhen they are. My youth advisor sendse-mails on Facebook® about upcomingevents and it helps me plan out my USYschedule. When she tells us about theseevents, she makes it a Facebook® eventand then it’s easier for her to know who’scoming and who isn’t. It also helps meknow who’s going to the events and ifany of my friends are going. Also, technologyhas helped me keep in touch with myfriends who live in Cleveland, Pittsburghand other places around my region andaround North America.”— Leah Davis, CRUSY“My life consists of many things, one ismost definitely USY. If I did not have technology,I have no idea how I would keep upwith everything USY has to offer, includinggreat friendships. I make many friends asI go along my way through USY; since theFar West region is so big, it is very difficultsometimes to keep in touch with themany friends I make. Because of technology(cell phones, Facebook®, e-mail,etc.), I am able to keep these wonderfulconnections and let them grow into amazingfriendships that will last for years andyears.”— Samantha Corn, Far West • ACHSHAV!

Who We AreFacebook® + Advocacy = Good?You Make The Differenceby Ron Shapiro, HagesherBy now, virtually everyone knowsthat Facebook® is an integralpart of a teenager’s life. I knowthat personally I can’t go a fullhour at home without logging on.There is no reason to argue if Facebook®is important for teenagers, because it’s afact. It is.Over the past couple of years, Facebook®has developed exponentially. Iremember when I first created my Facebook®profile, when News-feeds, applicationsandbirthday listsdidn’t exist.Facebook® actuallyused tobe quite lame.Now, though,F a c e b o o k ®has many differentuses,especially inUSY. Regionaland chapterevents can now be posted for everyone tosee. Also, it is easier to keep in touch withthe numerous new friends you make.Facebook® groups were in effecteven before I created my account. Today,groups are created for everything fromUSY Summer Program groups to commonsports interests. Lots of groups arealso created for people that share commonopinions. For example, there is aFacebook® group I am a part of namedI.D.F. – Support our Brothers. Althoughthese groups that share opinions are veryimportant, you must think about whichgroups you join. For example, there is agroup I bet I can find 1,000,000 peoplewho dislike Mahmoud Ahmadinejad! Althoughin a world of many billion people,it is plausible that one million people hateany person, the idea of the group is flawed.One main problem, the name involves thephrase “I bet.” What happens if you don’treach your quota like most groups of thattype don’t? Then your entire message isruined.Another common problem with Facebook®groups are comments that haveno backing. Very often there are groupsthat have very strong opinions. For example,there is a group that claims that Facebook®should delete the Israel networkbecause “Israel is not a country.” (Thereis also one for the other side of the spectrum,saying that Palestine is not a country.)Once, I saw a comment on the wallthat was against having Israel as a networkthat was trying to make an opposingargument to themainstream beliefof the group.The statementwas somethingalong the linesof, “Of course Israelis a country!Are you stupid?”Although Israel isof course a country,that statementset backthat person’s argument because therewas no factual information to supportthe claim. A valid point would be raisedagainst the supporters of the group if thecomment said,“It is impossible to deny the factthat Israel is a country. Israel hasbeen recognized for 60 years byworld leaders and many othercountries. Also, Israel has wonmany decisive wars against othercountries that questioned Israel’sexistence.”As USYers, we need to show that we aresophisticated leaders so that others willbe more willing to support us. We need towatch what groups we join or don’t join,and what kind of comments we make. Byadvocating properly, people that have noopinion will more likely side with us ratherthan the opposing view.□USY WebsiteOn-line blogs and chatrooms are a great forum todiscuss a multitude of Jewishtopics.• The USY Program Bank:Great for finding awesomeUSY chapter programs.• Information about schoolyear and summer programssuch as USY High,USY on Wheels and USYIsrael Pilgrimage.• Description of USY listservesand ability to signup.• USY handbooks and resources.• Links to tons of great websitesincluding all 17 USYregions.• USY Memories: Picturesof USYers from all NorthAmerica. Want to seeyourself? E-mail picturesof you and your USYfriends tocommunications@usy.org.Summer 2008 •

A Look BackLooking Back on the Memoriesby Judah Kerbel, HanegevOh snap! It’s about midnight thenight before convention, and mysuitcase lays empty. Hoping fora good night sleep, I scramblearound my room and stuffas much as I can think tobring with me into thesuitcase. Many times,one of the items I throwin the mix is my NikonCoolpix 5600 camera –although I must confessthat sometimes I forget.This camera, which myparents bought for meprior to my 8th grade tripto Israel, has been by my sidethrough many journeys during classtrips, summers at Camp Ramah Daromand, of course, at USY events and conventions.When cameras were first introduced,shooting an image took 15 minutes andrequired immediate development; today,the effortless pressing of a button cancapture a moment of an unforgettableruach session (of course not on Shabbat),an unusually stellar skit, a picturesquemoment before Shabbat and more. Sundaymorning at conventions, everyonehas their cameras out, making sure theyget a picture with new and old friendsalike to take home with them. By the timeeveryone remorsefully returns home, theycarry with them dozens of freeze framesfrom a weekend they hope to never forget.And if someone did not bring a camera,they will be sure to come hometo find themselves taggedin a couple of dozen pictureson Facebook®.But then what happensa few monthsor even years later?Time has passed, lifehas continued andmany newoccasionssit on them i n d sof theseU S Y e r s ;the mostr e c e n tc o n v e n -tion is notnecessarilythe predominant item of interestin the lives of the USYers.Undeniably, if one were to bring up theconvention, the USYer would recount theextraordinary events that took place. Yet Ifind that I become most nostalgic of pastUSY memories when I accidentally findmyself looking through tagged pictures ofme on Facebook®, which often take meback a year or two. As I scroll through eachpicture, I’m suddenly reminded of the incrediblemoments that have defined myattachment to USY and my involvementin the organization.Judaism is a religion very cognizantof the power of memory. We are explicitlycommanded to remember events suchas the Exodus, days such as Shabbatand history such as the battle we foughtwith Amalek shortly after the Exodus.The command is more thanreasonable: memory connectsus to our heritageand to our roots.And likewise, whenthe “Billy Bob Joe hastagged you in 5 pictureson Facebook®” e-mailappears in your inbox,expect to be broughtback to the very momentsthat defined yourlife at those very momentsas well as to the very moments thatset the path for your future. □ • ACHSHAV!

A Look BackHave you ever been asked,“What is USY?” and wereunable to explain youramazing experiences? Forme, that happens all the time. Asmuch as USY has taken over mylife, I can never come up with theright words to describe it to otherpeople.Capturing the Moments,One Digital Shot at a Timeby Sara Fruithandler, Hanegev“Well … itstands for United SynagogueYouth … I mean, it’s a Jewish youthgroup… ”It’s become much easier to explainthrough pictures and video uploads onsites such as YouTube, Facebook® andMyspace. After a USY event or convention,we receive e-mail notifications tellingus one of our friends has “tagged” usin a picture on Facebook®. As a visualperson, there seems to be no better wayto show our USY experiences than thesesites.Before embarking on USY on Wheelslast summer, it was hard to explain thetrip to my friends. “I’m so stoked! Wetravel around the country for 6½ weeks,pray three times a day and rest onShabbat!” My schoolfriends thought I was insane tobe giving up sports camp to go pray,but I was excited. Afterward, I put up11 picture albums on Facebook® takenthroughout the trip. These same friendsthat were hesitant on expressing joywere now jealous of the amazing summerI had experienced. They couldn’t believeall the places we traveled to in mypictures.Throughout my years in USY, picturesand videos have helped me capturemy amazing experiences as well ashelp explain it to others. Due to the useof such capabilities, some of my friendsnow wish they were Jewish in order totake part in some of my awesome chapterevents as well as traveling to Californiafor InternationalConvention or on USY Israel Pilgrimage.Each photo shares a story. Each storyhas a memory. With each one, my timein USY slowly unravels to show the love Ihave for USY.□Wanna seeyourself in pictures?Send yourUSY Memories tocommmunications@usy.organd you may see themon the USY website!Summer 2008 •

Judaism as a CultureiDavenTechnology advancementsprovide a new twist onhow to connect to Judaismin the 21st Century.• Websites such aswww.sidduraudio.com,www.uscj.org andwww.torahmedia.com offer USYers theability to learn Jewishservices (includingTorah portions), readDivrei Torah, as well aslisten to keynote JewishSpeakers.• Programs such as iTefila(Tefila means “prayer”)provide USYers with avirtual siddur on theiriPod.• USYers can also createand share there ownpodcasts (audio files) toshare there ideas, teachprayers and discussJewish traditions usingfree websites such aswww.gcast.com andwww.clickcaster.com.The Start and the Heartby Michelle Cohen, HagesherIt’s an important night in bothmy life and USY. Minyan ishalfway done, and I am leadingMa’ariv. The time comes forthe Amidah, and I flip to the page,seeing the ever-familiar prayers. Istare at the first one, but the wordsseem to blur. A prayer formulatesin my mind, expressing my deepestwishes. The hope pours out of me,and I can almost see it spongingthrough the pages and splashingonto the floor. And only when I amdone am I ready to once again leadthe congregation in a more generalform of prayer.I am a strong believer in the two kindsof prayer, the more important of which I didthat night. My view on modern prayer is thatsaying prayers from the siddur is a start, butthe best and most devoted and true prayercomes from the hearts of each and everyone of us.How many times have you sat bored atservices because it’s just the same AmidahMovies, Music and Shacharit, Oh My!by Daniel Novick, SeaboardIt’s Sunday Morning of a USY kinnusor convention. USYers arrived onFriday and spent the last 48 hoursseeing friends, meeting new friends,participating in fun activities, eatingand, of course, praying. A significant partof each USY convention is praying. So,when Sunday morning rolls around, whatdo most USYers NOT want to do? You gotit … pray!USYers want to hang out with theirfriends, recount all the memories of theweekend and probably sleep becausethey were up all night. Praying is NOT ontheir minds the Sunday of a USY convention,but what everyone dreads is thatlast service of the convention: SundayShacharit.or Aleinu? Saying a prayer that everyoneknows doesn’t necessarily fulfill a wish fordeeper prayer or necessarily tell God yourtrue wishes, but it’s great for being involvedin group prayer. It also involves you in hopesand desires written in the form of prayers byour ancestors hundreds of years ago. Also,people usually like familiar routines, so it’sa great way to connect with our ancestorsand have a set routine to lean on in toughtimes.Prayers from the heart cannot be writtenin their exact form or even repeated later.Like on the USY night mentioned earlier,prayers from the heart often come on thespur of the moment, when you’re desperatefor something like a good grade, a Boardposition or for someone special to like youback. You can’t put only a small effort intothese because they give the satisfaction ofpraying that is one of the main purposes ofJudaism.So put out a little more each prayer timein the set prayers, and each will be moremeaningful to you. And praying can help usUSYers connect as a youth group and as areligion as a whole.□When I was a Regional Rel/Ed VicePresident, I was faced with this problemof making services engaging for USYers.After spending many nights thinking ofways to do just that, I came up with “SundayShacharit Live.” For those of you at IC2007, you saw a version of this called “ICShacharit Live.” Basically, this creativeservice combines different forms of mediaand entertainment to form connectionsto the Shacharit service. Selectedmovie clips are shown on a TV or projectedonto a large screen at certain pointsof the service, adding a new dimensionto prayer. In addition, a real live bandplays familiar and popular tunes makingthe service engaging and spiritual.Music, continued on page 1110 • ACHSHAV!

Judaism as a CultureIs Facebook® Making FriendshipsLess Personal or More Accessible?by Rachel Berkow, HagalilWhen I saw that the theme for this edition of Achshav! was abouthow technology plays a role in USY, I immediately thought of Facebook®.Being an avid Facebook® user myself, we are well awarethat Facebook® is great for publicizing USY. There are groups onFacebook® for USY on Wheels buses, USY Israel Pilgrimage groups, USYregions and about love for USY in general. USYers have created events forregional conventions as well as chapter meetings.Considering all of that, Facebook® makes friendships more accessible becauseit’s so easy to communicate and collaborate. On the other hand, Facebook® is makingfriendships less personal because you don’t actually experience the feeling of friendshipuntil you are with the person. So now you ask the question: Is Facebook® makingfriendships less personal or more accessible? Or could it be both…Many people would agree that Facebook® is making USY friendships a lot lesspersonal. Even though Facebook® is really helpful if you want to reminisce about aninside joke from the last time you saw a USY friend, it’s not the same as being with theperson. It’s effortless to write three words on a Facebook® wall, however if this occurredin person it would be a lot more pleasant. Anyone can write a simple “lol” or “hahaha”after seeing something funny on the computer monitor, but you never experience thatlaughter together unless you’re with the person.At the same time, Facebook® also makes friendships more accessible. It makescommunication easy. Writing on a friend’s wall is so simple, and they get notified immediately.Facebook® is also great for “meeting” people who you will be spending yoursummer with on USY Summer Programs. The only problem with this is the creation ofinaccurate first impressions. In my opinion, you can’t really address someone as yourfriend until you’ve met them in person.So I leave you with this final thought. What type of effect do you think Facebook®has on friendships? Even if Facebook® makes friendships more accessible, it’s not untilyou meet someone face to face that you can have a personable relationship. □Movies, Music and Shacharit, Oh My!Continued from page 10So, does technology take away or add toprayer today? I fully believe that it adds tothe experience of praying. In a time of constantchange in the Conservative Movement,we too in USY must look for waysto change our ways of practicing Judaism.Adding technological aspects to our servicesthat aren’t on Shabbat is a perfect wayof doing this. It encourages us as Jewishteenagers to make connections to tefillahand make it easier for us to communicateto God and ourselves. Without technology,things such as Sunday/IC Shacharit Livewould not exist, and we would be back atthe beginning, thinking of ways to makepraying more engaging.I encourage you to think of ways youcan use technology to find a connection totefillah. Go talk to your chapter or regionalRel/Ed, or even your Rabbi and see whatyou can do to make services more interestingand how you can find a connectionto prayer. There is so much we can do withtechnology in regards to Judaism. All wehave to do is be brave enough to try anduse it!□Daniel Novick of Seaboard is the 2008USY Religion/Education Vice President.JewViewOn-line blogs and chatrooms are a great forum todiscuss a multitude of Jewishtopics.• JewView is a special projectcreated for the purposeof bringing USYerstogether to discuss Jewishvalues in a comfortableonline setting.• Each USY JewView sessionis focused on a differentrelevant and importanttopic to USYers.• USY JewView sessions areannounced in advance onthe USY Listserv.• Any USYer can join theJewView chatroom availableon www.usy.org.• After the live on-line chatUSYer’s can post feedbackas well as further discussionof the topics on theJewView blog atjewview.blogspot.com.• JewView is run by the InternationalUSY Religion/Education Committee.Summer 2008 • 11

Advancing Our World“I believe the childrenare our future.Teach them well and let themlead the way.Show them all the beautythey possess inside.”Abeautiful song sung by oneof the greatest recordingartists in the past 25 years,Whitney Houston’s TheGreatest Love of All begins byfocusing on one of the world’smost precious gifts: youth. Wewill be moving on out of highschool, into college, and theneventually going on to the “realworld,” where we will be takingup the leadership roles that willStart Today, Change Tomorrowby Haley Schulman, Hagalilhave been left empty by ourpredecessors. Then again, this isprobably not exactly a foreignconcept. We always hear adultsdropping lines like, “you kids arethe leaders of tomorrow,” and“you will be running the worldone day.”But why “tomorrow”? Why “oneday”? Why not now? It almost seemsthat, while we are expected to control theworld in years to come, we as teenagersin most societies aren’t given much roomto stretch our muscles in the present.Thankfully, for Jewish teens like you andme, we have one of the best outlets availablefor making a difference in the world— USY.USY stresses the need to give of ourselvesto the community, both monetarilyWrite for Achshav!Achshav! is always lookingfor USYers towrite articlesfor upcoming issues!Stay tuned for future announcements over USY listservesor on the USY website about themes, deadlines and more!Want More Information?If you are interested in writing, you find can out moreinformation by e-mailing your Achshav! Editorsat achshav@usy.org or by going to www.usy.org/achshavthrough Tikun Olam (USY’s tzedakahfund, which translates to “Repairing theWorld”) and physically through Social Action.As active members of the USY community,we learn to contribute our timeand money, convince others to do just thesame and have a blast while doing it. Weare taught to use what resources we haveto make the world a better place.And the best part? Social Action andTikun Olam are not limited to just our timeas current USYers. When we are eventuallyforced down that path that inevitablyends in the “real world,” we will always beable to give of ourselves. We will still beable to donate money to a local charity,to volunteer at a soup kitchen, to pick upgum wrappers in the grass at the nearbypark. We will make the world a betterplace, and we will be able to smile backon our years in USY for helping us do justthat.□12 • ACHSHAV!

Advancing Our WorldHelping Israel in the 21st CenturyThe Internet has madedistance nearly non-existentwhen it comes to showingsupport for Israel. So get up,log on and help Israel today.1.2.Write or e-mail President George W.Bush and your legislators. E-mailPresident Bush at president@whitehouse.gov. Find your legislators’e-mail addresses at www.votesmart.org or www.congress.org.In the subject line, write “Thank youfor your support of Israel.”Buy Israeli products. Go to www.shopinisrael.com and www.export.org.il for a wide selection of productsand goods. For a business-tobusinesslisting, go to www.usaisrael.org.5.6.7.States’ positions. For information oncontacting the media, go towww.honestreporting.com/a/contact.asp.Reach out to individual Israelis inyour community’s Partnership 2000region (contact your local Jewishfederation to find out how). Go towww.walk4israel.com to find outabout Project Embrace, which twinsschool and synagogues with familiesof recent victims.Go to Israel. USY offers a multitudeof programs including USY IsraelPilgrimage, USY High and Nativ.Express solidarity with Israel. Weara blue ribbon or pin. Participate incommunity events. Display a flag.Sing Hatikvah.Our VoiceCreating a petition is agreat way to rally supportbehind a topic you believein.• In the 21st Century wehave the ability to enhanceour petition abilitiesthrough the internet.• Websites likewww.petitiononline.comand www.ipetitions.comallow us to spread wordof what we believe in andgain support worldwide.3.4.Learn the facts, educate others andspeak in your own community. Visitthe Israeli government’s website atwww.mfa.gov.il and American Jewishwebsites including www.ujc.org,www.adl.org and www.jewishpublicaffairs.org. E-mail info@prescon.org and share your voicewith the Conference of Presidentsof Major American Jewish Organizations.Challenge media coverage of Israel.Call radio talk shows, write lettersto the editor and speak out in chatrooms in a rational and focused wayto support Israel’s and the United8.9.Write a letter to boost the morale ofan Israeli soldier. Mail to: Letter toSoldier, POB 92, Jerusalem 91000,Israel, fax to 972-2-621-6133/6214,or e-mail a letter as an attachmentto lettertosoldier@jazo.org.il.Call friends in Israel, just talk tothem. Invest $10 in a phone cardand you can probably talk for an10.11.hour. Ask them about school, aboutwork, about anything going on intheir lives. Tell them you miss themand promise you will visit.Increase your prayers. By prayingfor Israel and its people, we connectourselves to our Jewish familyworldwide. Take a moment eachFriday evening, either in synagogueor at home, to concentrate on Israel.A moment of silence, community orpersonal prayer or simply lighting acandle will show that you care.Get involved in USY! USY’s IsraelAdvocacy Club, HeChalutzim, offersspecial Israel programming andactivities. Learn more about HeChalutzimat www.usy.org.Summer 2008 • 13

Advancing our WorldA New Version of Conservative Judaism:Would You Like To Upgrade Now?by Jonah Rank, USY AlumniUSY TodayOn-line video or “You-Tube” is the main branchof communication that USYhas not tapped into ... yet.• This will be 8-10 minutevideos that will featureUSYers from throughoutInternational USY.• As a USYer you can serveas a “USY Field Reporter”and create a short videoreporting a USY story includingyourself and yourUSY friends.• Submitted videos will beselected by the InternationalCommunicationsCommittee and placedinto the different installmentsof “USY Today” forUSYers to view on-lineand at International Convention.• In order for this programto happen the InternationalCommunicationsCommittee needs YOURhelp.• Please e-mail these videosas well as any questionsabout the program tocommunications@usy.org.By the time I was a Senior inUSY, I’d heard the phrase “Theproblem with Conservative Judaismis…” more times than Ican remember. I’d heard it atleast once every sicha at conventionsand kinnusim, andI’d read it on the USY Listservat least once every time ConservativeJudaism or Jewishlaw was discussed. That waspretty frequent.I figured, “If people haveknown for so long what theproblem with Conservative Judaismis, then somebody musthave solved it already,” whichgave me an idea: look at challengeswithin ConservativeJudaism and solve them. That’s what thepeople behind iTunes and Facebook havebeen doing for years: finding problemsand solving them with upgrades — evenwhen we didn’t know there were problems.As a past Ritual/Educational/CulturalVice President for the Rakevet Division ofMETNY USY, my philosophy was to findthings needing change and change them— give them upgrades. For starters, afterrealizing there were just a few people whocould lead services, I recorded mp3s toteach new people the t’fillot. This teachingtool enabled 20 “first-timers” to leadservices, whether it was people leading aservice for their first time or veteran serviceleaders leading something new forthem.Also, since dialogue between USYersand rabbis can sometimes be strainedand may only take place once or twicea year, I started a program called “Ask ARakevet Rabbi,” where USYers could e-mail questions that would be answeredby rabbis from all over the area. As part ofthe project, a live chatroom was arrangedas an enhanced way of fostering communicationbetween USYers and rabbis.I spent my one year on Divisional Boardupgrading Conservative Judaism as muchJonah continues to make music andcomment on everyday life. Check outhis blog at jonahrank.blogspot.com.as possible.Since leaving USY and entering college,I’ve continued finding new ways toupgrade Conservative Judaism throughall sorts of technology. As I’m a part-timemusician (and full-time student), I’vebeen using both my Jewish and musicalskills and my Internet presence as waysto upgrade Conservative Judaism. Blogsand my international music distributionthrough iTunes and other digital storesare small things that help make a big differencewhen trying to connect people inour often spread out but often techonologicallyconnected Conservative JewishWorld.I often blog about Conservative Judaismand I am currently recording twoalbums: a new comedy-pop album and aCD of original Kabbalat Shabbat tunes. Ihope that the latter will reflect the rhythmand meaning of the Hebrew words andthereby engage Jews in prayer throughnew melodies and new philosophies.The skills that USY taught me helpedme in USY tremendously and continue tohelp me to this day. I believe that each ofus can take what USY has taught us andbring it to the cyber world: to continue todebug Conservative Judaism slowly butsteadily!□14 • ACHSHAV!

At LeisureUSYers always like a challenge, right? Well, try your handat this games and see if you you are up for the challenge.For the answer, go to www.usy.org/achshav/answers.Word SearchFind these nine words, in any direction,in the word search:Technology LaptopInternet ComputerIsrael CameraFacebook CommunicationsLeisureFind Your WayCan you make your way through this puzzleand see what hidden message is inside?STARTG K P L I S P E F C T E C O A E RB B I T A N I L C A M E R A F K NM N A Y G O L O N H C E T R A B DK E R A R I N T E R N E T O C P UN O N O C T S A C P U T B E C B PP L O L R A I R M F E A O O P C YA I E E E C C O A T R M P R U S OC B T M P I H P O E N O H U R K QW O B C I N S M T M L K E P P L MD O N E T U C U I R R L O P T W OL G U C E M P R R O A T N O P F NZ P M U E M P C N E P L P E C U EF I R K O O B E C A F E E O L L CP O E C L C I E L O R N O R I V XClassic Sudoku6 5 48 3 2 59 32 4 5 19 46 4 8 76 93 4 6 7FINISH7 2 3Summer 2008 • 15

USY InternationalConventionIC*DC 2008:Rockin’ The Capital!December21-25, 2008MarriottWardman ParkWashington, D.C.For more information, contact your Youth Director or:Phone: 212.533.7800, x1110E-mail: usyconvention@uscj.orgFax: 212.353.9439 Web: www.usy.org/ic16 • ACHSHAV!Department of Youth ActivitiesThe United Synagogue ofConservative Judaism